High Court dismisses election petition challenging victory of Kinangop MP
The High Court in Nyahururu has dismissed an election petition challenging the victory of Kinangop MP, Zachary Thuku Kwenya.
The petition was filed by Amos Chege, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aspirant for the seat during the last year’s polls.
Chege had accused his competitor of alleged voter bribery and improper votes tallying. He claimed that the election was marred with massive irregularities, voter bribery, swapping of results, voter suppression, and voter manipulation that compromised its integrity.
During the hearing of the petition, Chege stunned the court when he alleged that Kwenya won the election after using ‘bewitched’ money to bribe voters. However, Justice James Wakiaga, who presided over the case, dismissed the petition, stating that the petitioner failed to prove and substantiate all his claims.
The judge ruled that there were a lot of contradictions in the petition and claims of voter bribery were mere allegations that lacked specifics and were not backed by any tangible evidence.
The judge also noted that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conducted the polls in compliance with the constitution. Furthermore, Justice Wakiaga slapped Chege with a KES 2.5 million bill, with KES 500, 000 to be paid to IEBC and the rest to be paid to Kwenya.
Kwenya was re-elected for a second term in office on a Jubilee Party ticket having garnered 39,338 votes against the petitioner who garnered 34,842 votes. The Kinangop MP and his Ol Kalou counterpart, Njuguna Kiaraho, were the two lawmakers from the region who were re-elected on the Jubilee ticket.
“I have been vindicated and declared the duly elected MP for Kinangop Constituency. Thank you Lord,” Kwenya shared after the ruling.
Kwenya who was among Jubilee party MPS who recently met President William Ruto at State House, at the same time pledged to work closely with the government.